TL;DR:
- Researchers from the University of Oslo are investigating the potential of using the chatbot ChatGPT to assist teenagers with depression.
- The researchers analyzed questions about depression from young people to understand their information needs.
- Many young people expressed a strong need for information about mental health.
- Young people find it difficult to openly discuss mental health due to stigma and social shame.
- The researchers plan to compare the answers provided by ChatGPT with those from experts at Ung.no.
- ChatGPT has some weaknesses, including generating inaccurate answers when it doesn’t know the response.
- Chatbots, like ChatGPT, can be beneficial in providing evidence-based information for mental health problems.
- Many young people rely on platforms like TikTok for mental health information, which may not always be accurate.
- Chatbots have a lower threshold for communication, making it easier for individuals to report suicidal thoughts compared to humans.
- Previous studies have shown that young people find it easier to communicate with chatbots due to the absence of judgment.
- Using chatbots in a safe environment, like at home, allows young people to discuss difficult problems comfortably.
Main AI News:
Ever since its launch in late 2022, the chatbot ChatGPT has become a hot topic of discussion. Now, researchers from the esteemed University of Oslo are embarking on a study to investigate the potential of using this chatbot to assist young individuals battling depression.
Addressing Information Needs
The researchers’ groundwork involved analyzing questions about depression sourced from Ung.no, a platform where young people seek advice from professionals. Through this examination, they aimed to uncover the specific areas of curiosity among youth concerning depression.
Lead researcher Kim Kristoffer Dysthe shared with Dagens Medisin that a significant finding of the study was the overwhelming demand for information expressed by young individuals. Additionally, the researchers noted that mental health remains a challenging topic for young people to discuss openly. Stigma and social shame appear to hinder their motivation to seek treatment.
Harnessing the Power of Chatbots
Building on their previous findings, the research team plans to pose the collected questions to ChatGPT and subsequently compare its answers with those provided by the experts at Ung.no. While acknowledging ChatGPT’s inherent weaknesses, Dysthe remains optimistic about the potential benefits offered by chatbot technology. Notably, ChatGPT occasionally generates answers when it lacks the necessary knowledge, leading to inaccuracies.
Tine Nordgreen, the head of the Research Center for Digital Health Services at Haukeland University Hospital and an associate professor at the University of Bergen, also shares the belief in chatbots’ capacity to aid young individuals with mental health issues. Her research focuses on digital health services for mental well-being.
Recently, Nordgreen and her team conducted interviews with young people to better comprehend their requirements regarding digital health services. They discovered that many youngsters obtain mental health information from platforms like TikTok, although the accuracy and reliability of such information remain questionable.
According to Nordgreen, numerous young individuals expressed a desire for evidence-based information. If chatbots or similar technologies, developed through the fusion of technology and expertise, can deliver such information, it would be highly beneficial, she explains to sciencenorway.no.
Reducing the Threshold
One significant advantage of utilizing chatbots is the perceived ease of contacting them compared to interacting with humans. Nordgreen cites research indicating that individuals find it more comfortable to disclose thoughts of suicide to a machine rather than a human.
The Social Health Bots project published a study in 2021, inviting young individuals aged 16 to 21 to utilize and reflect on chatbots as a source of social support. Although the study did not focus on individuals with mental health symptoms, it explored the potential benefits of social support from chatbots for all participants.
The findings revealed that young individuals found it easier to communicate with a chatbot than with another person. This stemmed from the absence of judgment from the chatbot regarding their weaknesses and problems. Some participants even revealed that they used the chatbot while in bed at home, considering it a safe environment to discuss challenging issues.
As the University of Oslo researchers delve into the possibilities presented by AI-powered chatbots, it becomes increasingly apparent that such technology holds promise in helping teenagers grappling with depression. By providing evidence-based information and reducing the perceived threshold for seeking help, these chatbots may offer vital support to young individuals in need.
Conlcusion:
The research conducted by the University of Oslo on the potential of using AI-powered chatbots, such as ChatGPT, to assist teenagers struggling with depression highlights significant implications for the market. The findings reveal a growing demand among young individuals for evidence-based information on mental health, as well as a reluctance to openly discuss their struggles due to societal stigma.
This presents a unique opportunity for businesses operating in the digital health services sector to develop and leverage chatbot technologies that can provide accurate and reliable information, bridging the information gap for young people. By addressing their specific needs and reducing the perceived threshold for seeking help, businesses can position themselves as valuable allies in the mental health support landscape, catering to a previously underserved market segment.
Furthermore, by emphasizing the advantages of chatbots, such as the absence of judgment and the ease of communication, businesses can foster trust and engagement among young individuals, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and reach of their mental health services.
Overall, this research highlights the potential for innovative and technology-driven solutions to make a positive impact on the mental well-being of young people while simultaneously presenting a promising market opportunity for businesses operating in the digital health services sector.
